MOUNT Pisgah Open Space Durham, Connecticut Eastern Connecticut Environmental Review Team Report Eastern Connecticut Resource, Conservation and Development Area, Inc. Mount Pisgah Open Space Durham, Connecticut Environmental Review Team Report Prepared by the Eastern Connecticut Environmental Review Team Of the Eastern Connecticut Resource Conservation and Development Area, Inc. For the Conservation Commission Durham, Connecticut January 2007 Report #597 Acknowledgments This report is an outgrowth of a request from the Durham Conservation Commission to the Connecticut River and Coastal Conservation District (CRCCD) and the Eastern Connecticut Resource Conservation and Development Area (RC&D) Council for their consideration and approval. The request was approved and the measure reviewed by the Eastern Connecticut Environmental Review Team (ERT). The Eastern Connecticut Environmental Review Team Coordinator, Elaine Sych, would like to thank and gratefully acknowledge the following Team members whose professionalism and expertise were invaluable to the completion of this report. The field review took place on Tuesday, March 14, 2006. Nicholas Bellantoni State Archaeologist Office of State Archaeology UCONN – CT Museum of Natural History (860) 486-4460 Bryan Connolly Botanist Connecticut College (860) 423-8305 Jenny Dickson Wildlife Biologist DEP – Sessions Woods Wildlife Management Area (860) 675-8130 Wendy Goodfriend Resource Conservationist Connecticut River and Coastal Conservation District (860) 346-3282 Joseph Hickey Recreation Planner CT Greenways Council & DEP Retired (860) 529-4363 Alan Levere Wetland Reviewer DEP – Office of the Commissioner (860) 424-3643 Dawn McKay Biologist/Environmental Analyst 3 DEP - Environmental and Geographic Information Center (860) 424-3592 Brian Murphy Senior Fisheries Biologist DEP - Inland Fisheries Division (860) 295-9523 David Poirier Staff Archaeologist State Historic Preservation Office (860) 566-3005 Robert Rocks Forester DEP – Eastern District Headquarters (860) 295-9523 Randolph Steinen Emeritus Professor Geology Program – UCONN (860) 486-4435 I would also like to thank Brian Ameche and Adam Moore of the Durham Conservation Commission for their cooperation and assistance during this environmental review. Prior to the review day, each Team member received a summary of the proposed project with location and soils maps. During the field review Team members were able to view additional maps and were given more information. Some Team members made separate or follow-up visits to the site, while others conducted a map review only. Following the review, reports from each Team member were submitted to the ERT coordinator for compilation and editing into this final report. This report represents the Team’s findings. It is not meant to compete with private consultants by providing site plans or detailed solutions to development problems. The Team does not recommend what final action should be taken on a proposed project - all final decisions rest with the town. This report identifies the existing resource base and evaluates its significance to the proposed use, and also suggests considerations that should be of concern to the town. The results of this Team action are oriented toward the development of better environmental quality and the long term economics of land use. The Eastern Connecticut RC&D Executive Council hopes you will find this report of value and assistance in the development of a management plan for this town owned property. If you require additional information please contact: Elaine Sych, ERT Coordinator CT ERT Program P. O. Box 70 Haddam, CT 06438 Tel: (860) 345-3977 e-mail: [email protected] Table of Contents Page Acknowledgements i Table of Contents iii Introduction 1 Topography and Geology 8 Conservation District Review 17 Wetlands and Water Resources 28 Fisheries Resources 35 Forestry and Vegetation Review 37 Botanical Review 43 The Natural Diversity Data Base 46 Archaeological and Historical Review 48 Recreation Planner Comments 49 CFPA Policy – Use of the Blue-Blazed Hiking Trails 50 Introduction Introduction The Durham Conservation Commission has requested Environmental Review Team (ERT) assistance in reviewing the town-owned Mount Pisgah Open Space Property. The Mount Pisgah Property is 180 acres in total size located on Pisgah Road and Cream Pot Road. It is made up of 3 parcels, with the most recent piece acquired in 2003. The property had been cut over for charcoal in the late nineteenth century and also used for pasture. The site is presently forested and contains a portion of the blue blazed Mattabesett Trail. Chalker Brook flows through the property. The property abuts a significant amount of other conservation land. Objectives of the ERT Study The Conservation Commission is seeking to write a stewardship plan for this parcel and the ERT report will provide the natural resource information. The Commission has drawn up a preliminary management plan for the parcel and a natural resource inventory is listed as an important first step. The natural resource information provided by the Team will serve as the basis for management. Major areas of information requested include: • Soils • Topography and geology • Hydrology and wetlands • Fisheries habitat • Forestry potential • Recreation and trail development • Educational opportunities • Archaeological and historical significance. The ERT Process Through the efforts of the Durham Conservation Commission this environmental review and report was prepared for the Town of Durham. This report provides an information base and a series of recommendations and guidelines which cover the topics requested by the town. Team members were able to review maps, plans and supporting documentation provided by the applicant. The review process consisted of four phases: 1. Inventory of the site’s natural resources; 2. Assessment of these resources; 3. Identification of resource areas and review of plans; and 4. Presentation of education, management and land use guidelines. The data collection phase involved both literature and field research. The field review was conducted Tuesday, March 14, 2006 and some Team members made separate and/or additional site visits. The emphasis of the field review was on the exchange of ideas, concerns and recommendations. Being on site allowed Team members to verify information and to identify other resources. Once Team members had assimilated an adequate data base, they were able to analyze and interpret their findings. Individual Team members then prepared and submitted their reports to the ERT coordinator for compilation into this final ERT report. Mount Pisgah Preliminary Management Plan Donor/Seller: Dionigi Arrigoni Size: 180 acres Location: Pisgah Road, Dead Hill Road and Cream Pot Road Acquisition date: Purchase Price: 1. Conduct natural resource inventory (flora, fauna, hydrology, soils, etc.) to serve as basis for management plan. 2. Prepare a management plan that addresses public access, trails, parking, hunting, viewshed management, forest management, wildlife habitat and the like. 3. Identify abutters and let them know that a management plan is being prepared and seek input. 4. Consult town officials and other town boards in the preparation of the management plan. 5. Obtain surveys and other maps on record at town hall for inclusion in management plan. 6. Determine if there are any deed restrictions, easements, and note these in the management plan. 7. Locate and mark property boundaries and post as Durham Open Space. Address any encroachment issues. 8. Work with Connecticut Forest and Park Association on the maintenance of the Mattabesett Trail on Mount Pisgah. 9. Seek to develop loop trail or trail network for hiking and seek to allow such other uses as cross- country skiing, non-motorized bicycling, and horseback-riding if possible. 10. Designate a volunteer steward for the property. 11. Maintain any fences, gates, roads and other structures. 12. Maintain long-distance views from summit of Mount Pisgah; seek to create new viewsheds where possible. 13. Prohibit motor vehicle access except on any designated roads or parking areas, and except for property management or emergency purposes, and post property accordingly. Topography and Geology Topography The Mount Pisgah Open Space tract is in the southern part of Durham; its southern boundary is actually at the boundary with the Town of Guilford. It has a fairly moderate to rough topography (see Figure 1). Relief is slightly greater than 400’ within the tract and near 500’ if the nearby adjacent area (Coginchaug River Valley) is considered. Mount Pisgah has an elevation of 644’ above sea level; Chalker Brook has an elevation of about 240’ where it flows north out of the open space parcel; the Coginchaug River has an elevation of less than 160’ just northwest of the parcel. The local area has a distinct north-south topographic grain. Roughly north-south elongated hills, many oval shaped in map view, are flanked by rather steep sided drainages and saddles. Immediately to the southeast the topographic grain changes to more northeast-southwest. Rather concentric shaped hills, in map view, are flanked by northeast- southwest oriented drainages and saddles. To the north and west the topography drops dramatically into Connecticut’s central valley (see Bell, 1985, Ch. 2), such that there is a magnificent vista toward the north and west from the top of Mount Pisgah (see figures 2 and 3). The central valley is host to several rivers: the Connecticut River